The invention relates to a method for the cold start of a free-piston diesel engine, comprising a cylinder (1) having a combustion room (2) therein and an air inlet (6), fuel supply (8) and combustion gas outlet (7) connected thereto, and a piston (4) movable within the cylinder (1) and limiting one side of the combustion room (2). Energy is supplied to the piston (4) to compress air supplied through the inlet by reducing the combustion room, whereafter fuel is injected to allow the fuel-air mixture to ignite by spontaneous combustion. So much compression energy is delivered to the piston (4) that the combustion room (2) is reduced to a volume of less than 3% of the combustion room (2) volume when the outlet (7) is closed. The corresponding free-piston engine has a dead volume of less than 3%.
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